Duchess Sophie's corduroy trousers are a cosy alternative to denim I'm copying to give my everyday outfits an autumnal twist
Jeans are always going to be a staple but the texture of corduroy brings dimension to an outfit - as the Duchess showed in Cumbria
Jeans have a place in my wardrobe all year round but when the temperatures drop I often find myself wanting something a little bit cosier and more autumnal. Corduroy trousers tick these boxes perfectly and the Duchess of Edinburgh has decided the time has come to ditch denim for this seasonal fabric.
She brought back her PAIGE Anessa trousers for a visit to Cumbria on 8th September and the sumptuous dark olive tone screams autumn to me. Duchess Sophie debuted them at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, but corduroy always surges in popularity at this time of year.
The textured finish is such an easy way to add dimension and softness to a layered outfit and cord is often made from cotton or a cotton blend which is breathable.
Shop Corduroy Trousers Like Sophie's
I own several pairs of M&S cord trousers and these ones are a very similar olive shade to the Duchess of Edinburgh's. They come in various lengths and are straight-leg with a high-rise waist. There's added stretch in the cotton-rich fabric for comfort and the belt loops mean you can accessorise them easily.
These brown Corduroy trousers have a comfortable wide-leg silhouette and a high-rise waist. The fabric has a touch of stretch and there are belt loops and the classic five pockets you expect from jeans. Pair with everything from T-shirts to jumpers and add a pair of neutral boots.
You can get these affordable chocolate-brown trousers in four different lengths and in navy blue too. They're made from cotton-rich corduroy and have a wide-leg silhouette like Sophie's, with pintucks running down the legs giving them a smart feel. The added stretch adds comfort and they're high-waisted.
Complete The Look
With its traditional feel, this tweed jacket is such a stunning investment piece for your autumn wardrobe if you love a countryside look. It's made from pure wool, with tailored darts giving it a flattering shape. The faux leather buttons run up the front and there are four handy pockets.
A plain white shirt is a wardrobe classic and it's something you can pair with jeans for a smart-casual look or wear with crisp tailoring. This one from M&S is very affordable and has a fitted design, with a neat collared neckline and long sleeves. The concealed button placket gives it a minimalist look.
The XT-6 GORE-TEX shoes are some of the best around when it comes to style, practicality and comfort. You can get them in a range of colours and they're sleek enough that they wouldn't look out of place worn everyday as well as for walks. They've got waterproof protection and closed mesh construction on the uppers.
The Duchess' trousers were high-waisted and wide-leg which is one of my favourite comfy silhouettes as it's very elongating on the frame and not restrictive. Straight-leg and flared cords are also everywhere right now and the variety of shapes and colours rivals even that of jeans.
Like your go-to denim, cord trousers can be the base of so many autumn outfit ideas. Choosing a neutral colour like Sophie did means they're easy to style with other shades and warm hues like olive, brown and tan complement the texture beautifully.
Her Paige trousers were a very dark green with brown undertones and she pretty much kept the rest of her outfit to this colour palette. She tucked in a crisp white shirt and then wore her mottled tweed ME+EM The Heritage jacket, with a discreet navy quilted jacket as an extra layer.
The Duchess of Edinburgh had a busy schedule in Cumbria, visiting Home Grown Here in Crosby to highlight community-led food systems and sustainable vegetable production. She also opened the first farm in the Addington Fund's New Entrant Scheme and celebrated the impact of the Supporting Rural Communities Programme as she met pupils from Crosby Ravensworth School.
All these engagements called for sturdy, practical footwear and Sophie chose the Philadelphia Lady GTX women's walking shoes from Meindl in tan. The hue worked well with her trousers and jacket, tying the whole ensemble together.
However, I personally love wearing my own corduroy trousers with heeled ankle boots or white trainers depending on how smart I want to look. Suede footwear mirrors the softness of the cord and is a classic pairing though leather gives an edgier feel.
There are so many different combinations and the best bit about cords is that you can pretty much recreate any outfits you'd normally wear with jeans and swap them in. Whilst denim can look a bit too casual depending on the colour and wash, corduroy is more elevated and can be dressed up or down with ease.
I can imagine Duchess Sophie getting a lot of use out of her Anessas over autumn/winter, styled in warmer ways. For her day in Cumbria she didn't need a full coat and looked excited and focused on shining a light on so many causes close to her heart.
